Light Saber Combat is a new form of recreational- sporting combat competition characterised by a specific instrument named the “light saber” and codified in various forms of armed combat.
Light Saber Combat is a sport that is new, original and unique, as an ad hoc technique has been formed, that can be used specifically and only with the instruments and the presumption of the existence – in imagination – of a light saber or more commonly a saber. This instrument is a weapon with a weightless blade, with a 360° edge that cuts everything except itself.

Three types of light saber can be used for the sport: long, short and double.
The “long saber” must have a hilt of a minimum length of 26 cm and a maximum length of 32 cm, with a tolerance range of 2 mm. The weight of the hilt must be between 500 and 700 gr with a tolerance range of 30 gr. The blade, a tube of polycarbonate of a diameter of 25 mm with a gauge of 2 mm, must come out of the hilt for 87 cm, with a tolerance range of 5 mm.
The “short saber” must have a hilt of a minimum length of 18 cm and a maximum length of 26 cm, with a tolerance range of 2 mm. The weight of the hilt must be between 400 and 600 gr with a tolerance range of 30 gr. The blade, a tube of polycarbonate of a diameter of 25 mm with a gauge of 2 mm, must come out of the hilt for 60 cm with a tolerance range of 5 mm.
The “dual-headed staff” must have a hilt of a minimum length of 41 cm and a maximum length of 54 cm, with a tolerance range of 2 mm. The weight of the hilt must be between 550 and 800 gr with a tolerance range of 30 gr. The blade, a tube of polycarbonate of a diameter of 25 mm with a gauge of 2 mm, must come out of the hilt for 73 cm with a tolerance range of 5 mm.
The length of the blade is calculated including the cap. In any case, the cap must be hemispherical and not ogival (pointed).
Once the blade is illuminated, the saber is considered to be “armed”. Otherwise it is considered “unarmed”.
Sabers without light or sound are not permitted. No delay between motion and associated light and/or sound effects shall be noticed.
For safety reasons: a) the hilts cannot have cutting, barbed or dangerous parts in the event they come into contact with the adversary’s body or uniform; b) the electronics must be equipped with batteries protected from short circuits, undervoltage and overvoltage, and be inserted inside a casing equipped with vent holes; c) the hilt assembly shall satisfy electromagnetic compatibility requirements.
In order to be used in official competitions, both hilts and blades need to comply further specific technical requirements established by SLM and its delegated entities.

In official competitions, each fighter must wear the appropriate uniform for his/her level.
No other apparel or accessories are permitted other than the ones identified as being part of the official uniform. Protection of hands and groin area is mandatory. Gloves with paddings made by stiff materials are not allowed. Any other protection is at the fighter’s discretion.
In official competitions, it is forbidden to wear glasses (except for sports glasses for eye protection), jewellery, or other elements that can cause – voluntarily or involuntarily – damage to oneself or others.
The violation of this regulation implies direct responsibility of the guilty, both disciplinary and civil, for damages that may be suffered or inflicted.

The standard type of combat is one-to-one duelling.
Other forms of combat can be foreseen, however: Duelling in pairs, one against many, team duelling or group combat.
With regards to comparing the light sabers, the following combats are permitted officially:
– single light saber vs. single light saber (standard adults)
– single light dagger vs. single light dagger (standard children up to 11 years)
– single light saber vs. two light daggers
– two light daggers vs. two light daggers
– single light saber vs. saberstaff
– two light daggers vs. saberstaff
– saberstaff vs. saberstaff

The combat arena for official competitions can be rectangular or circular.
The rectangular arena is five metres by eight, with an external buffer area of respect of at least one meter each side.
The circular arena is eight metres in diameter with an external buffer area of respect of at least one meter around the external circumference.
The free combats carried out outside the academies can be held in an area with the dimensions established by the participants, on the condition it guarantees enough space to duel safely and in any case less than two hundred square meters.

The entire body is considered to be a valid target.
Each of the forearms, from the elbow to the end of the fingers, and each leg, from the knee to the toes, is defined by the term IH (non-mortal target).
All the rest of the body is defined by the term OH (mortal target).
The hilt of the light saber, in all parts other than the blade, is considered to be a IH target.

A win can be assigned on first touch (so-called “first blood”) or according to points.
Single points are obtained by:
– Striking the adversary on an OH target with the armed blade of your own saber;
– Making the adversary touches himself/herself on an OH target with his/her own saber;
– Forcing the adversary beyond the limit of the combat arena, which is intended as suspended in the void.
In the event of victory by points, the above all constitute one point.
Final victory is obtained by reaching the number of points set out in the competition rules or, in the case of free combat, by the competitors themselves.

No thrusts or any movements that bring with them a direct touch with the tip are permitted.
In spite of the fact that it is a valid target, the face area is particularly delicate and should be avoided as far as possible.
A disarmed saber is considered to be non-existent and all the techniques carried out in this status are considered to be not valid.
The fighter, whose non-mortal target has been struck, must:
– Raise the struck limb and shout “IH”;
– Interrupt any attack he/she was about to carry out;
– Bring the tip of his/her saber out of the direct line with the opponent;
– Leave the adversary one time, during which he/she cannot return en garde but must take his/her distance.
Blocked attacks will be considered dynamically. So, for example, a strike from above intercepted on the hand will cause a gravitational drop of the saber, with the relative consequences if the blade is not covered.
It is allowed physical contact to block or lean, as long as joint rises and projections, within the official techniques and always under the guidance of SLM principles.

Generally, there is no time limit to the duration of an official combat.
In official competitions, a specific rule imposing a maximum time limit on combat may be established, or for the time within which a strike to a OH target must be made.

The fighter who suffers a IH or OH target strike must self declare.
In observance of the Se.Cu.Ri principle, each fighter makes sure that his/her opponent is not hurt, using control that is proportional to his/her level of experience.

LudoSport competitions are guided by one or more Judges certified by SLM through the International Commissions for Officials (INCOM).
If no certified staff are present, the competitions can be managed by competition judges chosen by the organizer, according to guidelines given by INCOM.
The Judge’s rulings are final and unquestionable.
Free meetings – also official – between pupils can be carried out without a judge.